Woellwarth family

This family originates in the so-called "Ries" district of Bavaria, north-west of the river Danube (Donau) (see map). In 1136 the first two members, Otto and Eberhard, appeared as witnesses and another Otto is named "liber" in 1239. With Georg I, who married Anna of Schechingen, the family became more important and like the "Schechinger" they chose the monastery of Lorch as their burial place. Some of the memorial plates are still in place there. The family subsequently left the Ries and acquired property round Schwäbisch Gmünd and Aalen. In medieval times they were in service to the counts of Oettingen and Württemberg.